South Whidbey homes deemed safe following landslide

Three homes in the path of a small South Whidbey landslide were evacuated Thursday while Island County engineers surveyed the area, according to South Whidbey Fire/EMS.

Around noon on Thursday, emergency crews responded to the scene, on Bells Lane about four miles north of Langley, after receiving reports of the hillside sliding down across the roadway, said South Whidbey Fire spokesperson Jon Gabelein.

Island County engineers responded and began surveying the beachfront area. Residents were allowed to return by 5 p.m. Thursday when county officials deemed it safe, Gabelein said.

No injuries were reported.

Officials said the slide most likely occurred when recent freezing and thawing caused soil to destabilize.